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Canon PowerShot S100 Digital ELPH Canon packs 2 megapixels and a 2x optical zoom into the "smallest digicam on the planet!" Select a topic Reference: Datasheet PowerShot S100 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on PowerShot S100 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 10:Image Storage & Interface Review First Posted: 6/20/2000

Image Storage and Interface
The S100 stores images on CompactFlash type I cards, and an 8MB card comes with the camera. Upgrades are of course available to 16MB, 32MB and 64MB sizes from Canon, and up to 192 MB from third parties as of this writing in June, 2000. The remaining image capacity is shown on the LCD monitor when the camera is turned on. When the number reaches zero, the camera beeps and the LED next to the optical viewfinder flashes or, if the LCD viewfinder is enabled, a "CF card full" message appears on the display. The table below shows the number of images of each size that can be stored on the provided 8MB memory card, and the approximate level of JPEG compression used for each.

Resolution/Quality Vs Image Capacity	High Resolution		Standard Resolution
	Images	Approx. Compression	Images	Approx. Compression
Super Fine	4	2-3:1	N/A	N/A
Fine	12	9:1	46	5:1

As you would expect, the CompactFlash card should never be removed while the camera is in operation to avoid damaging the media. The card fits into a slot on the side of the camera, protected by a plastic flap that snaps firmly into place and that is released by a sliding switch.

You can protect individual images on the CompactFlash card while in Playback mode through the Playback menu. Once protected, images cannot be erased unless the entire CompactFlash card is formatted or the protection is subsequently removed.

Frames are stored on the CompactFlash card and assigned file numbers from 0001 to 9999, organized in folders containing up to 100 images. Through the Setup menu, the File Number Reset option allows you to turn on the file number reset option, which resets the file number each time a card is inserted into the camera. Otherwise, the camera assigns a continuing number from the last file number of the last card used. This prevents the same file number being used for images taken together and saved on multiple cards.

The Erase menu option under the Playback menu allows you to erase individual images while in Playback mode. Likewise, the Erase All option allows you to erase all frames on the card (except those that are write-protected). The entire card can also be erased by formatting, also available in the Playback menu by hitting the Menu button.

The S100 uses the speedy USB interface to connect to a host computer for transferring files. This means you likely won't need a card reader for your computer, as transfers directly from the camera should be fast enough to satisfy most users. We say "should be" because a *very* balky PC prevented us from actually measuring the transfer rate of the camera. (Our main PC has numerous devices attached to it, and we couldn't manage to resolve some deeply-buried driver conflict.) Past experience though, indicates that even the slowest USB connections routinely transfer data at 0.2 megabytes per second. If the S100 followed suit (we'll bet it's faster), it would take about 40 seconds to empty an 8 megabyte memory card.